A motorcycle accident can lead to severe physical and psychological injuries which can affect the rest of your life. However, it is worthy to note that in the past, the physical damages caused by motorcycle accidents were given more attention, while the psychological damages were often overlooked.
How Anxiety After a Motorcycle Accident Affects Your Mental Health
Anxiety after a motorcycle accident is quite common, as well as other psychological issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many people develop a fear of riding after an accident because of the fear they’ll get into another accident.
Treating psychological damages of a motorcycle crash, such as PTSD and anxiety, is even more difficult than treating physical injuries because these are essentially invisible wounds which can take months or sometimes even years to heal.
PTSD and anxiety often work by association which essentially means that you may feel uncomfortable or agitated even when you look at your motorcycle. Your mind associates the adrenaline rush and pain caused during an accident with your motorcycle at a subconscious level and may warn you not to ride the motorcycle again because it could lead to another accident.
PTSD is among the most common after-effects of a motorcycle accident and it is often the primary cause of anxiety and fear of riding.
As a result of PTSD, you may suffer from nightmares during sleep, flashbacks of the accident, increased anxiety and stress, a feeling of constantly being on edge, or even lacking interest in motorcycles altogether. These psychological disorders can also disrupt your work, recreational, or family life.
How to Overcome Anxiety after a Motorcycle Accident
It’s a good idea to immediately seek professional help from a mental health medical provider if you suffer or think you may be suffering from anxiety or PTSD after a motorcycle accident. While the advice of mental health professionals may vary, a good counselor will guide you through taking steps
toward complete healing. Some of those steps may include things like:
- Painting your bike a new color or style because this may help your mind not to associate this newly painted motorcycle with the accident;
- Selling your old motorcycle and buying a new one;
- Talking with other accident victims about their experience and healing;
- Trying new creative outlets (like music, painting, or dance/movement) to express your
emotions.
Hiring a St. Petersburg Personal Injury Lawyer
You also should consider claiming compensation for your damages after a motorcycle accident. Medical costs can easily run into hundreds of thousands of dollars if the injuries, including mental injuries, are of a serious nature.
Motorcycle accident injury law differs from state to state and the procedure of filing a claim is often a complex one. As such, you will need to hire a an experienced and knowledgeable motorcycle accident attorney.
If you or your loved one was injured in a motorcycle accident, contact us at 727-800-5052 for a free legal consultation. Marsalisi Law is Where Law Gets Personal.
